Abstract

This paper explores connections among the concepts of commons, ecological intelligence, and the sub-Saharan Africa moral and ethical framework of Ubuntuand their relevance for sustainable development. The ethical and moral framework of Ubuntu is presented as a cultural commons that speaks to values relevant for sustainability. Ubuntu is an ethical and moral framework to transition to sustainable living. Ubuntu is a moral and ethical framework that stresses collectivity and collective agency that are relevant for behaviour management and character formation that may contribute to sustainable lifestyles. It stands in contract to, for example, Western frameworks that overly emphasise individualism and individuality especially the stress on the individual’s intellect, mental intelligence, and abstract thinking at the expense of individual and collective values necessary to realise sustainable lifestyles. Re-appropriation of this useful framework may lead to more effective education and communication for sustainable development.

Key words: Cultural commons, ecological intelligence, education and communication for sustainable development, Ubuntu.